Interspecific Prunus tree named ‘Flavor May’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct variety of interspecific  Prunus  tree. The following features of the tree and its fruit are characterized with the tree budded on ‘Nemaguard’ Rootstock (non-patented), grown on Handford sandy loam soil with Storie Index rating 95, in USDA Hardiness Zone 9, near Modesto, Calif., with standard commercial fruit growing practices, such as pruning, thinning, spraying, irrigation and fertilization. Its novelty consist of the following combination of desirable features:
     1. Tree having a vigorous, upright growth habit.   2. Tree being a regular and productive bearer of medium size fruit.   3. Fruit with a high degree of attractive dark red skin color.   4. Fruit with very good flavor and eating quality.   5. Fruit with good storage and shipping ability.

Botanical designation: Interspecific Prunus species.

Variety denomination: ‘FLAVOR MAY’.

BACKGROUND OF THE VARIETY Field of the Invention

In the field of plant genetics, we conduct an extensive and continuing plant-breeding program including the organization and asexual reproduction of orchard trees, and of which plums, peaches, nectarines, apricots, cherries, almonds and interspecifics are exemplary. It was against this background of our activities that the present variety of interspecific tree was originated and asexually reproduced by us in our experimental orchard located near Modesto, Stanislaus County, Calif.

PRIOR VARIETIES

Among the existing varieties of interspecific trees, which are known to us, and mentioned herein, ‘Bella Jewel’ Interspecific (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 23,106), ‘Spring Flavor’ Interspecific (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 14,571), and our proprietary non-patented interspecific seedling selections ‘55MM189’ and ‘29MC594’.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable.

ORIGIN OF THE VARIETY

The new and distinct variety of interspecific tree was developed by us in our experimental orchard located near Modesto, Calif. from seed of an open pollinated proprietary non-patented interspecific seedling selection with the field identification number ‘55MM189’. The seed parent ‘55MM189’ is a first generation seedling from the cross of ‘Bella Jewel’ Interspecific (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 23,106) and our proprietary non-patented interspecific seedling ‘29MC594’. A large number of these open pollinated seedlings were budded onto older trees of ‘Nemaguard’ Rootstock (non-patented) to accelerate rapid fruit production. Under close and careful observation we recognized the desirable tree and fruit characteristics of the present seedling and selected it in 2016 for additional asexual propagation and commercialization.

ASEXUAL REPRODUCTION OF THE VARIETY

In 2016 asexual reproduction of the new and distinct variety of interspecific tree was by budding to ‘Nemaguard’ Rootstock (non-patented), as performed by us in our experimental orchard located near Modesto, Calif., and shows that reproductions run true to the original tree and all characteristics of the tree and its fruit are established and transmitted through succeeding asexual propagations.

SUMMARY OF THE NEW VARIETY

The present new and distinct variety of interspecific tree is of large size, vigorous, upright growth and a regular and productive bearer of medium size, clingstone fruit. The fruit is further characterized by its firm red flesh, attractive dark red skin color and very good flavor and eating quality. In comparison to its proprietary non-patented interspecific seed parent ‘55MM189’ the fruit of the new variety is approximately 45 days earlier in maturity. In comparison to the commercial variety ‘Spring Flavor’ Interspecific (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 14,571) the fruit of the new variety has red flesh compared to yellow and is approximately 9 days later in maturity.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPH

The accompanying color photographic illustration shows typical specimens of the foliage and fruit of the present new interspecific variety. The illustration shows the upper and lower surface of the leaves, an exterior and sectional view of a single fruit divided in its suture plane to show flesh color, pit cavity and the stone remaining in place. The photographic illustration was taken shortly after being picked (shipping ripe) from a 5 year old tree and the colors are as nearly true as is reasonably possible in a color representation of this type.

DESCRIPTION OF THE VARIETY

The following is a detailed botanical description of the new variety of interspecific tree, its flowers, foliage and fruit, as based on observations of 5 year old specimens grown near Modesto, Calif., with color in accordance with Munsell Book of Color published in 1958.

-   Tree:     -   -   Size.—Large, pruned to 3 to 3.5 meters in height and width             for economical harvesting of fruit. Varies with different             cultural practices.         -   Vigor.—Vigorous, tree growth of 1.5 to 2 meters the first             growing season. Varies with cultural practices, soil type,             fertility and climatic conditions.         -   Form.—Upright growth, usually pruned to vase shape.         -   Branching habit.—Upright, crotch angle approximately 25°,             increases with heavy crop load.         -   Productivity.—Productive, thinning and spacing of fruit             necessary for desired market size fruit. Number of fruit set             varies with climatic conditions during blooming period.         -   Bearer.—Regular, has had adequate fruit set 4 consecutive             years. No alternate bearing observed.         -   Fertility.—Self sterile, pollinator required.         -   Density.—Medium dense, usually pruned to vase shape to             increase air movement and sunlight to enhance fruit color             and health of fruit spurs.         -   Hardiness.—Hardy in all stone fruit growing areas of             California. Tree grown in USDA Hardiness Zone 9. Winter             chilling requirement approximately 550 hours at or below 45°             F. -   Trunk:     -   -   Size.—Medium, average circumference 74.0 cm at 25.4 cm above             ground on a 5 year old tree.         -   Stocky.—Medium stocky.         -   Texture.—Medium shaggy, roughness increases with age of             tree.         -   Color.—Varies from 7.5YR 4/2 to 7.5YR 2/2. -   Branches:     -   -   Size.—Medium. Average circumference 14.2 cm at 1.2 meters             above ground. Crotch angle approximately 25°, increases with             heavy crop load.         -   Surface texture.—New growth relatively smooth. Mature growth             medium rough, roughness increases with age.         -   Lenticels.—Average number 57 in a 25.8 square cm area.             Average length 3.0 mm. Average width 1.8 mm. Color varies             from 7.5YR 5/8 to 7.5YR 4/8.         -   Color.—New growth varies from 2.5GY 7/6 to 2.5GY 6/6. Mature             growth varies from 5YR 4/6 to 5YR 2/4, varies with age of             growth. -   Leaves:     -   -   Size.—Medium. Average length 87.2 mm. Average width 40.2 mm.         -   Form.—Elliptical.         -   Apex.—Acuminate.         -   Base.—Cuneate.         -   Margin.—Doubly serrate.         -   Thickness.—Medium.         -   Surface texture.—Upper surface relatively smooth, slight             indentations over midrib and leaf veins. Lower surface             relatively smooth, except for small ridges created by midrib             and pinnate venation. Both upper and lower surfaces             glabrous.         -   Petiole.—Average length 11.0 mm. Average width 1.4 mm.             Longitudinally grooved. Surface — glabrous. Color varies             from 5GY 7/6 to 5GY 7/4.         -   Glands.—Type — globose. Size — small. Average length 0.1 mm.             Average diameter 0.1 mm. Average number 3, varies from 1             to 4. Located primarily on the base of the leaf blade and             upper portion of the petiole. Color varies from 5GY 7/6 to             5GY 7/4.         -   Stipules.—Average number 2. Average length 9.2 mm. Edges —             pectinate. Color varies from 2.5GY 6/6 to 5GY 7/4.         -   Color.—Upper surface varies from 5GY 5/4 to 5GY 4/6. Lower             surface varies from 5GY 6/4 to 5GY 5/4. Midvein color varies             from 5GY 8/6 to 5GY 7/4. -   Flower buds:     -   -   Size.—Medium to large. Average length 9.5 mm. Average             diameter 5.6 mm.         -   Hardiness.—Hardy with respect to California winters.         -   Density.—Dense.         -   Form.—Conical, becoming elongated just before opening.         -   Pedicel.—Average length 5.8 mm. Average width 0.8 mm.             Surface — glabrous. Color varies from 2.5GY 6/6 to 2.5GY             7/8.         -   Color.—N 9.5/(white).         -   Number of buds per spur.—Average number 10, varies from 7 to             11. -   Flowers:     -   -   Blooming period.—Date of First Bloom Feb. 12, 2021. Date of             Petal Fall Feb. 22, 2021, varies slightly with climatic             conditions.         -   Size.—Medium. Average height 12.1 mm. Average diameter 17.6             mm.         -   Petals.—Number — normally five, alternately arranged to             sepals. Size — small to medium. Average length 10.8 mm.             Average width 8.1 mm. Form — elliptical. Arrangement —             overlapping. Margin — sinuate. Both upper and lower surfaces             glabrous. Color N 9.5/(white). Petal apex — rounded. Petal             base — truncate.         -   Sepals.—Number — normally five, alternately arranged to             petals. Size — small. Average length 2.0 mm. Average width             2.4 mm. Shape — triangular. Margin — entire. Color — upper             surface varies from 5GY 6/6 to 5GY 5/6. Lower surface varies             from 5GY 6/6 to 5GY 5/6 with 5R 4/10 on edges. Both upper             and lower surfaces glabrous.         -   Stamens.—Average number per flower 28. Average filament             length 8.2 mm. On average, the stamens are above the height             of the petals. Filament color N 9.5/(white). Anther color             varies from 5Y 8/10 to 5Y 7/12.         -   Pollen.—Present, self-sterile, pollinator required. Color             varies from 5Y 8/10 to 5Y 7/12.         -   Pistil.—Number — normally 1. Average length 9.7 mm. Position             of stigma an average of 0.9 mm below anthers. Surface —             glabrous. Color varies from 10Y 7/6 to 2.5GY 7/8.         -   Fragrance.—Heavy aroma.         -   Color.—N 9.5/(white).         -   Pedicel.—Average length 8.0 mm. Average width 0.8 mm.             Surface — glabrous. Color varies from 2.5GY 6/6 to 2.5GY             7/8.         -   Number flowers per flower bud.—Average number 2, varies from             1 to 3. -   Fruit:     -   -   Maturity when described.—Firm ripe and ready for             consumption.         -   Date of first picking.—May 31, 2021.         -   Date of last picking.—Jun. 10, 2021, varies slightly with             climatic conditions.         -   Size.—Medium. Average diameter axially 48.2 mm. Average             transversely in suture plane 50.1 mm. Average weight 90.7             .grams, varies slightly with fertility of the soil, amount             of thinning and climatic conditions.         -   Form.—Globose.         -   Suture.—Nearly smooth.         -   Ventral surface.—Smooth.         -   Apex.—Rounded.         -   Base.—Flat.         -   Stem cavity.—Rounded to slightly elongated in suture plane.             Average depth 8.4 mm. Average diameter 3.7 mm. -   Stem:     -   -   Size.—Large. Average length 14.5 mm. Average diameter 1.7             mm.         -   Color.—Varies from 10Y 7/8 to 10Y 6/10. -   Flesh:     -   -   Ripens.—Evenly.         -   Texture.—Firm, meaty.         -   Fibers.—Few, small, tender.         -   Firmness.—Firm, comparable to other commercial interspecific             varieties.         -   Aroma.—Slight aroma.         -   Amydgalin.—Undetected.         -   Eating quality.—Very good.         -   Flavor.—Very good, with a good balance between acid and             sugar.         -   Juice.—Moderate amount, enhances flavor.         -   Acidity.—Not available.         -   Brix.—Average Brix 16.0°, varies slightly with amount of             fruit per tree and climatic conditions.         -   Color.—Varies from 7.5R 3/12 to 7.5R 2/8.         -   Pit cavity.—Average length 26.9 mm. Average width 20.4 mm.             Average depth 6.1 mm. Color varies from 5R 2/6 to 5R 2/8. -   Skin:     -   -   Thickness.—Medium.         -   Surface.—Smooth.         -   Bloom.—Moderate amount, complete coverage.         -   Tendency to crack.—None.         -   Color.—Ground color varies from 7.5Y 8.5/10 to 7.5Y 8/6.             Overspread with 7.5R 3/10 to 7.5R 2/8. Very small, randomly             spaced areas of exposed ground color giving a speckled             pattern to the surface.         -   Tenacity.—Tenacious to the flesh.         -   Astringency.—Slight to none. -   Stone:     -   -   Type.—Clingstone, weak adherence to flesh.         -   Size.—Medium. Average length 26.1 mm. Average width 17.3 mm.             Average thickness 10.8 mm.         -   Form.—Ovoid.         -   Base.—Flat.         -   Apex.—Pointed. Average length 1.5 mm.         -   Surface.—Pitted throughout, pits vary from round to             elongated.         -   Sides.—Unequal, one side extending slightly further from the             suture plane.         -   Ridges.—Relatively smooth, extending from base to apex.         -   Tendency to split.—None.         -   Color.—Varies from 2.5Y 7/6 to 2.5YR 7/12, when dry. -   Kernel:     -   -   Size.—Small to medium. Average length 15.6 mm. Average width             10.8 mm. Average depth 6.0 mm.         -   Form.—Ovoid.         -   Viability.—Viable, complete embryo development.         -   Skin color.—Varies from 5Y 9/2 to 5YR 9/4. -   Use:     -   -   Dessert.—Market — local and long distance. -   Keeping quality: Good, held firm in cold storage 3 weeks at 38° to     42° F. without shriveling, internal breakdown of flesh or     appreciable loss of flavor. -   Shipping quality: Good, showed minimal skin scarring or flesh     bruising during picking, packing and shipping trials. -   Plant/fruit disease resistance/susceptibility: No specific testing     for relative plant/fruit disease resistance/susceptibility has been     designed. Under close observation during planting, growing and     harvesting of fruit, under normal cultural and growing conditions     near Modesto, Calif., no particular plant/fruit disease resistance     or susceptibility has been observed. Any variety observed during     indexing of plant characteristics with abnormal fungus, bacterial,     virus or insect susceptibility is destroyed and eliminated from our     breeding program. No atypical resistances/susceptibilities have been     noted under normal cultural practices.

The present new variety of interspecific tree, its flowers, foliage and fruit herein described may vary in slight detail due to climate, soil conditions and cultural practices under which the variety may be grown. The present description is that of the variety grown under the ecological conditions prevailing near Modesto, Calif. 

The invention claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct variety of interspecific Prunus tree, substantially as illustrated and described. 